| Author | Message | ||
  sg (thelastsupreme) 1-Arriviste Username: thelastsupreme Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
thought you might want to know. sweet lady Syreeta is gone, but never forgotten. Such sad days........ | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 939 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.220 |
R.I.P. in heaven's embrace Syreeta. S.S. | ||
zebop (zebop) 3-Pundit Username: zebop Post Number: 69 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Very sad news indeed RIP. | ||
Ralph Terrana (ralph) Moderator Username: ralph Post Number: 383 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 209.240.205.63 |
This is sad news. Can somebody tell me what happened? I seem to remember reading a post on the forum a while back that she was ill. It seems like yesterday that I attended her wedding to Stevie. | ||
John Lester (theboyfromxtown) 4-Laureate Username: theboyfromxtown Post Number: 87 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.44.166.19 |
Is this news confirmed..I haven't seen any news reports yet... | ||
John Lester (theboyfromxtown) 4-Laureate Username: theboyfromxtown Post Number: 88 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.44.166.19 |
I understand it has been confirmed. This is a HEAVY DAY. | ||
Common (common) 2-Debutant Username: common Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.2.55.170 |
My sympathies & condolesences go out to Syreeta & her family. May she rest in heavenly peace! | ||
Linda Di. (linda_di_fsg) 4-Laureate Username: linda_di_fsg Post Number: 84 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 165.170.128.66 |
So sad. I was in her presence while she was having her makeup done about 10 years ago. She was an absolute sweetheart to me and everybody around here. She is truly a sweet spirit. (Message edited by linda di fsg on July 06, 2004) | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 226 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Hi All. Where's the report or link? Handsome | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 4-Laureate Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 127 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 66.157.60.117 |
I just got the news from one of Yahoo Legendary Ladies of Motown forum. This is a sad day indeed. | ||
Brother Love (brother_love) 4-Laureate Username: brother_love Post Number: 83 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 67.113.218.32 |
I was so blessed to be touched by this beautiful spirit in my life. She will truly be missed. All my thoughts and prayers go out to her family. I know what they are going through I just lost my mom. | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 4-Laureate Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 128 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 66.157.60.117 |
I feel sorry for Stevie Wonder. He and Syreeta were married. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 942 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.220 |
Rudy; So sorry to hear of your tremendous loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, S.S. & J.S. | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 228 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Thanks Dinelle. Handsome | ||
Destruction (destruction) 4-Laureate Username: destruction Post Number: 129 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.173.225.25 |
Missing another multi-talented artist. Thoughts and prayers to her loved ones. | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 275 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.252.127.61 |
Yes, it's sad news, but I try to concentrate on her not suffering any longer...It's hard to do when you know their physical presence will no longer exist, but she left wonderful memories. | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 561 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 80.14.54.40 |
Very sad news indeed... R.I.P Anybody with a link please post it because I have been looking on the entertainment sites on the web for over 30mn and I came up with nothing... Wonder B | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 4-Laureate Username: gogogirl Post Number: 145 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
Hey All, May Ms. "Sweet" Syreeta rest in peace and in God's Loving Hands. She had a great voice - and seemed to sing with such ease. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1369 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Good evening all. I'm very sorry to learn of Syreeta's passing. I find comfort in the fact that she left behind a multitude of fans, friends & family, who loved her dearly. I also find comfort that she will no longer suffer from that insidious disease. She leaves us with some good memories & music & wherever it plays, she'll be there as well! R.I.P. Syreeta! This is the only link that I could find: http://boards.motown.com/viewt hread.asp?forum=AMB%5FAP839135 222&id=12 | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 193 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Syreeta was a good friend, R.I.P. Syreeta WELDON | ||
Charise (mistrivia1) 4-Laureate Username: mistrivia1 Post Number: 147 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Forgive me everyone, but I can't deal with this right now. | ||
Vickie (vickie) 3-Pundit Username: vickie Post Number: 31 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
the voice of an angel. rest sweet syreeta vickie | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 5-Doyen Username: luke Post Number: 343 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Very sad-breast cancer. Had Syreeta re-married?KIds? | ||
Boynextdoor (boynextdoor) 3-Pundit Username: boynextdoor Post Number: 59 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.165.255.174 |
So very sad. I had always wondered what it would have been like if she lead The Supremes instead of Jean. Her, "With You I'm Born Again", still blows me away. Sad news, indeed. | ||
everettinct (everett860) 1-Arriviste Username: everett860 Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
A beautiful, wonderful, exceptional voice added to the Choir of Angels. | ||
Mark Speck (mark_speck) 3-Pundit Username: mark_speck Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.159.86.200 |
Truly sad indeed...I loved both "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel For You" and "With You I'm Born Again". She was a tremendous talent and will certainly be missed. RIP Syreeta.  Best, Mark | ||
T.L. Harris (tl_harris) 2-Debutant Username: tl_harris Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
Indeed this is a tragic day for those here on the board and her many fans all over the world. May she rest in peace. T.L. Harris | ||
Kev-Lo (7273747576) 4-Laureate Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 127 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.231.234.245 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Syreeta.I know she was sick for some time.I send my symathy to her family.Rest in peace Syreeta we'll miss you | ||
MoMotown (momotown) 2-Debutant Username: momotown Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.249.66.27 |
I, too, send my condolences to Syreeta's family. May she rest in peace and her angelic voice fill the halls of my Heavenly Father's house. | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) Moderator Username: david_meikle Post Number: 224 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 81.130.211.124 |
Syreeta was a major talent. This is another sad day in the Detroit Story. Syreeta R.I.P. | ||
Sean (livesey) 2-Debutant Username: livesey Post Number: 14 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 62.64.129.91 |
R,I,P a major talent | ||
SisDetroit (sis) 5-Doyen Username: sis Post Number: 337 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.42.211.240 |
RIP Syretta. | ||
the crazy dutchman (andreas) 4-Laureate Username: andreas Post Number: 71 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 62.194.16.136 |
Very sad news indeed! Syreeta was such an amazing vocal performer (if only Motown treated her like the star she was). I've known about her ilness for some time - We have been trying to get in touch with Syreeta regarding a new Syreeta album project without success. We approached close friends and people in the industry including Stevie Wonder but nobody was able to help at the time - Up untill 2003 when we received word about the seriousness of her ilness. Now that she's gone to a better place (where she will join many musical heroes) it's uncertain if this album project will happen at all. My prayers goes out to her children, Stevie and everyone else close to her. Andreas Hellingh www.TheSoulofAmsterdam.com Now playing: HARMOUR LOVE | ||
Mike Sku (mike_sku) 2-Debutant Username: mike_sku Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.9.11.62 |
I am so saddened by the news of Syreeta's death. She had such a sweet, angelic voice! Her song "I Must Be in Love" is one of my all-time favorites. My condolences are extended to her family and all those who knew her. God bless. | ||
stone love (stone_love) 2-Debutant Username: stone_love Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.30.124.189 |
I'M GLAD I GOT A CHANCE TO MEET THE BEST.SYREETA WAS THE BEST.SYREETA WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. | ||
the crazy dutchman (andreas) 4-Laureate Username: andreas Post Number: 73 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 62.194.16.136 |
 Now playing: UNIVERSAL SOUND OF THE WORLD (YOUR KISS IS SWEET) | ||
glencro (glencro) 2-Debutant Username: glencro Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 146.9.113.58 |
MOTOWN SONGSTRESS SYREETA WRIGHT DEAD Former wife of Stevie Wonder a cancer victim One of Motown's most prolific singers Syreeta Wright died late yesterday evening in her Los Angeles home after losing her battle with breast cancer. Wright who is also known as the former first wife of Motowner Stevie Wonder, established her own career at Motown, not only as a singer but as a songwriter also. Amongst the numerous song she has written, Syreeta garnered CO-writers credits on the 1970 Wonder hit "Sign, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." Did You Know . . . that Wright was discovered by Brian Holland of the songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland ... followed Martha Reeves as the secretary of the former company A&R Rep Mickey Stevenson, and she originally recorded under the sudo name of Rita Wright. She was produced by a number of high profile producers Ashford & Simpson, Brian Holland, and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. Wright's greatest success occurred when she performed a duet with fellow Motowner Billy Preston on the 1979 Top 10 hit ''With You I'm Born Again." Wright's funeral arrangement will be announced at a later date. | ||
Greg C. (greg_c) 2-Debutant Username: greg_c Post Number: 25 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 166.84.225.91 |
I'm so glad and fortunate to have all six of her Motown recordings, "Syreeta" (1972) "Stevie Wonder presents Syreeta" (1974) "One to One" (1977) "Syreeta" (1980) "Set My Love In Motion" (1981) and "The Spell" (1983). Syreeta gave me so much joy. I am deeply saddened at hearing of her passing. | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 563 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.49.118.167 |
Here's a few lines about Syreeta which were writtent as promo when her 'The Essential Collection' CD came out (17 tracks)back in 2001. ************ It's truly amazing how some artists' music simply gets better with time. Case in point: Syreeta, whose recording career at Motown (which began in 1967 when she recorded as Rita Wright and continued from 1972 to 1982) included several solo albums and one each with Billy Preston and G.C. Cameron as duet partners. For years, the multi-talented singer/songwriter's music has been unavailable in the U.S. Her 1974 set, "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" was reissued briefly in 1994 but is now out of print and the only other albums available have been Japanese-only reissues of her spectacular 1972 MoWest debut ("Syreeta") and the 1977 set "One To One" along with "Rich Love, Poor Love" (the G.C. Cameron duet LP). Now, thanks to the sterling work being done in the U.K. by the Spectrum label, we have "The Essential Collection," a sumptuous 17-track CD. With the renewed interest in Syreeta's recordings, it seemed an opportune time to catch with the lady who co-wrote such classics as "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," "If You Really Love Me" and "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer" with ex-husband Stevie Wonder (with whom she maintains a close friendship). Asked about her initial reaction to the new UK compilation, the Los Angeles-based, Pittsburgh native had an instant response: "I can't say I'm pleasantly surprised. Because the truth is I'm overwhelmed! I'm ecstatic, knowing that I did some music years ago and that people still find value in it today. I'm very grateful, I'm honored and I personally want to thank everyone who's involved with the release." Going over the songs on "The Essential Collection," Syreeta expresses surprise at some of the tracks included such as "He's Gone," a version of a 1957 Chantels song which was on the 1980 "Syreeta" set and "Forever Is Not Enough," a cut from "The Spell" album. "I remember that what I was attempting to do with that whole album was to put a little rock up underneath the R&B sound," she recalls, "and we had some members of Toto on the tracks." Some of the other tunes on this new compilation are interesting like "First Time On A Ferris Wheel." That was in the movie "Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon" and it was used as the credit song at the end of the film. Originally, I was supposed to do it with Carl Anderson (who later recorded it as a solo artist) but since Smokey Robinson was with Motown, we did it as a duet. It was funny because I did my vocals after Smokey and Mr. Gordy asked him to go back and do his vocals after I'd finished!" She says that making the duet album with former member of the Spinners, G.C. Cameron was "a lot of fun, with lots of energy and I think it all came through in the music. I still think some of my best vocals are on that album.' Syreeta adds that "With You I'm Born Again," her 1980 classic duet with Billy Preston remains "the song that gives me the most pleasure, to this day. It's so simply stated and sometimes when I sing it 'live,' it's very emotional for me." A number of the songs on the new reissue are from the "Stevie Wonder Presents" album: "That whole album was a healing and a balance for both of us," Syreeta reflects. "We were going through a divorce at the same time we were making that record so every song has something to do with what we were going through like "Heavy Day" and "Spinnin' And Spinnin.'" Now that song was about a lady Stevie was dating at the time and I felt he would get emotionally 'injured' by that situation.and he did." Commenting on her work with Stevie, Syreeta says that her first album for MoWest (which Wonder produced) is still "my all-time favorite. It had a lot of different flavors and the musicianship was incredible. Since Stevie was sometimes late for the sessions," she says with a smile, "I got a chance to do a lot of my own vocals. When we were doing the record, we were having some problems in our relationship and for me, the album was about my hope that maybe we could salvage our marriage so a lot of the vocals are coming from that space. We got married at a very young age and no one gave us a manual." Before she hooked up with Stevie, Syreeta spent a few years at Motown waiting for her 'big break' and as she muses over the inclusion of the two sides of her very first single for the label ("I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You" and "Something On My Mind") on the "Essential Collection," she thinks back to the first time she went to the label's offices in Detroit. "I remember that day so well. I had a noon appointment with people at Motown and they didn't show up so I left and went out to get a hamburger. I was kinda 'green' back then and I didn't understand the way the music business worked. After I had my lunch, I called back to see if they had ever shown up for our meeting and the guy I spoke with cracked up! He couldn't believe that I hadn't waited! Well, eventually we did meet and signed with the company and two weeks went by and I thought, 'what's going on here? They're not sending for me!" Finally, they did and I did those two songs which were written by Ashford & Simpson. They went over them with me and I always felt they had a rich and warm way of telling stories through their songs." Thinking back to those early years, Syreeta says, "Everything was wonderful on the surface but I didn't know some of the things that were going on behind the scenes. For instance, I was shocked to find out that some of the people at Motown thought I sounded like Diana Ross! That surprised me. I guess I was somewhat sheltered by my relationship with Stevie. You know, I was kinda na�ve back then!" Like so many great artists, Syreeta unquestionably went through a period of dues-paying and although she hasn't recorded in a few years, she performed for a while in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar." Most recently, she's been working with Berry Gordy Jr. on a DVD that traces the story of Motown, doing vocals for some of the duets that various female artists recorded with Marvin Gaye. She admits that the renewed interest in her recording career is a real stimulus for her to make some new music: "I'm getting ready to start writing again and I'm putting a writing team together now. I'm not real anxious to do a CD with a major company again so I may invest in myself and put it out on the Internet. The great thing about this new compilation is that it makes me know without having to guess about it that there are people who want my music. I'm going to make sure I do a new CD that's worthy of the love that people are showing me by buying the music I've made in the past." This is what I have besides her official albums, excluding compilations (as far as I know: "Syreeta", "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta", "One To One", "Set My Love In Motion", "Syreeta" 2, "The Spell", "Rich Love, Poor Love" with G.C. Cameron, "Billy Preston & Syreeta"), though I cannot help including the Motown tracks. She recorded for Ian Levine: Reflections With You I'm Born Again (solo) One Plan of Action Moment of Weakness I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playing Love Fire, He's Gone, Signed Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours) (remakes of tracks included in "Syreeta (II)") Watching the Hands of Time / Duet with Billy Preston From "Motown, Fame & Beyond" / William Goldstein: "Happy Endings" (from "Happy Endings") "Tomorrow Always Comes Again" / "I'm Glad I'm Here With You" (from "Marilyn: The Untold Story") "Music Is My Sanctuarium" / Gary Bartz Vocals "Gone Troppo" / George Harrison Background vocals "The Last Dragon" soundtrack (Motown): "First Time On a Ferris Wheel" - Duet with Smokey Most of Stevie Wonder's albums, since 1970's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered": "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants" - lead vocal on "Come Back As a Flower" "The Way I Am" / Billy Preston Vocals "The Dude" / Quincy Jones (Qwest) Vocals "Fast Break" Original soundtrack (Motown): "Go For It" (Main title), "With You I'm Born Again", "Go For It" (Disco) / with Billy Preston "A Cellarful of Motown!" (Motown): "You Made Me Feel Like (Everything Is Alright)" "Caston & Majors" Leonard Caston and Carolyn Majors(Motown): Background vocals "Loving Couples" Original soundtrack (Motown): "And So It Begins", "Turn Up the Music", lead vocal "I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playing" and "Taking My Love (And Leaving Me)" / Martha Reeves and the Vandellas Additional background vocals "The Beginning of the End" / The Supremes Additional background vocals "One Heartbeat" / Smokey Robinson "Love Brought Us Here Tonight" / Duet with Smokey "Water Colors" / Pete Bardens Vocals on "Is It Any Wonder" "The Promise" / Kirk Whalum Vocals on "I Receive Your Love". Add these too: "Back On the Block" / Quincy Jones Background vocals "Ju Ju Man" / Gary Bartz Vocals on "My Funny Valentine" A&M includes in its database a band or album called "Karma" (1976), in which Syreeta and Deniece Williams sang. ******* Wonder B | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 564 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.49.118.167 |
Her first album is available on import here as well as the Essential (described above) and a couple of others : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi dos/search-handle-form/104-312 0079-1102329 Wonder B | ||
zebop (zebop) 3-Pundit Username: zebop Post Number: 70 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 149.174.164.24 |
I remember Karma, it was a group of West-coast musicians including Ernie Watts. Cool cover, so-so album. Thanks for posting those liners Wonder B. It's nice to see what Syreeta had to say about her work, especially that duet album with G.C. Cameron. (Message edited by zebop on July 07, 2004) | ||
jrlo (jrlo) 4-Laureate Username: jrlo Post Number: 139 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.130.218.105 |
my sympathies to the family..I was shocked to hear of this..I heard nothing through the media. She had a beautiful voice as well as a beautiful spirit. | ||
jrlo (jrlo) 4-Laureate Username: jrlo Post Number: 141 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.130.218.105 |
I found a link..I hope it works.. http://members.tripod.com/~low ando/syreeta.html | ||
bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 3-Pundit Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.102.169.132 |
THIS IS SO, SO, SO SAD!!!!!!But yet so ironic, because just this past Saturday I bought Billy Preston's "20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection" CD just to hear my fave B.P. track "Space Race" but then to listen to Billy and Syreeta's "With You I'm Born Again" in all of its remastered sonic clarity. Now to hear that she is gone forever makes me pretty sad now, but also makes me appreciate her even more because she is the only artist to ever come close to the tenderness and sweetness of her voice comparing to another much-missed legend: Minnie Riperton (who in another ironic twist, died of the same illness that Syreeta died in 1979). My deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and former husband and collaborator, Stevie Wonder. In tribute to her, I will listen to her classic 1974 album "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" and "With You I'm Born Again" in heavy rotation as I reflect on the music and the life of this beloved woman. | ||
Russ Terrana (russ_terrana) 2-Debutant Username: russ_terrana Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.178.8.81 |
This hit me like a ton of bricks! I was close to Syretta for many years. I even went to her and Stevie Wonders wedding in Detroit. I engineered many of her projects, including "With you I'm born again" and co-produced one of her albums. She was a delight to be with and I always concered her a very good friend. Her passing leaves a big hole and it will be hard to fill. | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 4-Laureate Username: gogogirl Post Number: 146 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
All, I'm in tears. Thanks loads jrlo. | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 4-Laureate Username: gogogirl Post Number: 147 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
All, Happy Birthday Russ. | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 232 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Here's some more information in support of Wonder B on Syreeta's recordings: M-808V1 - Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta - Syreeta [6/74] (7-74, #116) I'm Goin' Left/Spinnin' And Spinnin'/Your Kiss Is Sweet/Come And Get This Stuff/Heavy Day//Cause We've Ended As Lovers/Just A Little Piece Of You/Waitin' For The Postman/When Your Daddy's Not Around/I Wanna Be By Your Side/Universal Sound Of The World/Your Kiss Is Sweet M6-891S1 - Rich Love, Poor Love - Syreeta & G.C. Cameron [9/77] Rich Love Poor Love Theme/You Need A Change/I'll Try Love Again/Let's Make A Deal/Station Break For Love//Made From Love/Love To The Rescue/All Things Happen For A Reason/Rich Love Poor Love M7-915R1 - Fast Break (Soundtrack) - Billy Preston And Syreeta [3/79] Go For It/Welcome To Cadwallader/More Than Just A Friend/With You I'm Born Again (Instrumental)/He Didn't Stay//With You I'm Born Again/Books And Basketball (Montage)/Half Time/The Big Game/Go For It (Disco) M8-949M1 - Loving Couples (Soundtrack) - Various Artists [12/80] Take Me Away - Temptations/And So It Begins - Instrumental/Turn Up The Music - Syreeta/I'll Make It With Your Love - Billy Preston//And So It Begins - Syreeta/I'll Make It With Your Love - Instrumental/There's More Where That Came From - Temptations/Bass Odyssey - Jermaine Jackson M8-958M1 - Billy Preston and Syreeta - Billy Preston & Syreeta [8/81] (8-81, #127) Someone Special/Searchin'/Just For You/It's So Easy/A Long And Lasting Love//Love/One More Try/Hey You/A New Way To Say I Love You/What We Did For Love T6-349S1 - One to One - Syreeta [1/77] One To One/I Don't Know/Rest Yourself/I Too Am Wanting//Tiki Tiki Donga/Don't Cry/Harmour Love/One To One (Reprise) T-372 - Syreeta - Syreeta [4/80] (5-80, #73) Blame It On The Sun/Let Me Be The One/You Bring Out The Love In Me/Please Stay/He's Gone//Love Fire/Here's My Love/Signed Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)/Dance For Me Children/One More Time For Love T8-376M1 - Set My Love in Motion - Syreeta [11/81] (1-82, #189) Quick Slick/Move It Do It/You Set My Love In Motion/There's Nothing Like A Woman In Love/Can't Shake Your Love//I Must Be In Love/Wish Upon A Star/Out The Box/I Know The Way To Your Heart/I Love You GS-941 - Rita Wright - Rita Wright [Unissued] Handsome | ||
johneflat (johneflat) 4-Laureate Username: johneflat Post Number: 102 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
oh man, this is awful, i still listen to her and G.C.'s lp. She really rocks on "RICH LOVE POOR LOVE" and she was the best thing that ever happened to Billy Preston!.....R.I.P. princess.....your voice rings in this house. | ||
Allen (allen) 1-Arriviste Username: allen Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.31.32.197 |
I saw her at Larry Hardaways funeral. (Stevie's Brother) She sang a beautiful song for him. I'd heard she was gravely ill, but you'd never known it on that day. She introduced me to her lovely daughters, smiled, gave me a kiss on the cheek and said she'd see me another time. She was one of those truely nice people. No pretense. Straight from the heart. | ||
Moan (moanman) 1-Arriviste Username: moanman Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.44.218.110 |
Sometimes the passing of someone you�ve never met can affect you as deeply as a death in the immediate family. For Syreeta: Stevie Wonder was not blind to your loveliness. After all he married you, didn�t he? No. Stevie wasn�t so blind, and neither was I, as this teenaged sensitive way back when. I was enthralled by a girl in a white halter top, holding a red carnation. Nothing sexual, but all things sensual. That album cover, �Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta� it was magic. Your liquid brown eyes called out to me in some odd recognition. I detected Everything about you right then: your shyness, your intelligence, your sadness and longing, your gaze that seemed to cry out tenderness. I felt that energy. It was caramel electricity. I related to it. And then, I was mesmerized by this angelic manifestation of your voice, arrested by your poetry. �I remember teaching you, on piano �Tea For Two�, and how you played it wrong, I kissed your hand�� How do I explain this insanity? It was love, adoration at first listen. I met your voice in junior high school. You took my foolish heart, ran away with it, and never gave it back. Your soft hypnotic soul shone through your voice. It poured like inspired molasses from your sad, but lovely face. I wanted to know you, befriend you. Yes, I know, I was weird. Forgive me. But your music gave me clues into your dreams and the melodic degrees of your hurt. It hipped me to the simplicity of your Joy, granted me a glimpse into your most primal Pain. I sensed some deeper sadness there. It had not bittered your sensibility, or clouded your voice. Though, it lingered there, like the clime of a crystal bell, sounding from a faraway village. After Diana, you were asked to be a Supreme. Another pretty colored girl in a rapid succession of colored girls. Instead you remained, Yourself. A sad-faced Regal Queen. A quiet poetess penning songs with Stevie: �If You Really Love Me� Singing angelically with Billy: �With You I�m Born Again� Such sad strength emanated from the quiver of your voice. You purred, you cooed and growled these stories, these wounded tales of love, and inspiring melodies of utter survival. You even taught me my first words in Swahili: Upendo Ni Umoja means �Love Is Unity.� I loved you, Syreeta Wright. I did. I do. It nothing sexual or perverted, I swear. I just wanted to hold you, to spoon you. I wanted to wipe away your saddest tears. I wanted to the world to *know* you, caress you in its collective bosom, to *love* your sound, as I did, as I do. When you disappeared, I, your faithful fool, continued to play your music as if you and it were my therapy. I played it as if to conjure up my youth, and to resurrect you back from that hazy place of musical oblivion. And then, years later, I heard you were sick. My God! My heart dropped. My voice of praise fell several octaves in despair. It was like my most graceful sister, my favorite auntie, my teenage Goddess Girlfriend was ill. You�d helped me thru all these rough times, and now there was *nothing* I could do for you! I worried, I prayed. Even Stevie asked a stadium of people to pray. They did. And then nothing, again. The silence left me petrified. Afraid. Afraid for the end of the music you�d made. I asked my devoutly Buddhist friend in Germany to please chant for you. God! I hate this cancer that afflicts such beautiful and lovely timelessly talented women! It was like your friend Minnie Riperton all over again! And now, like her, you too are gone. I am lost in your songs, now. And I can�t seem to find my manhood. I lost it today to that teenage kid. The one who fell in love. The one became forever enthralled by the lonely gaze of a girl. She was wearing a white halter top, holding a red carnation, her liquid eyes begging for tenderness. The world makes no sense anymore. There is no tenderness here. Today I�m that kid again, Syreeta. The one you consoled. The one you moved with your poetry. The one you never *knew* existed. The one who grieves for that soothing Angel that lived so sweetly, so completely in your voice. Stevie Wonder was not so blind. But I am, temporarily at least, by these tears you�ve left in my eyes. Rest In Peace, Syreeta. For all those who loved you, today is indeed a �Heavy Day.� One. | ||
Don (don) 5-Doyen Username: don Post Number: 238 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.58.75 |
This is sad news to hear. | ||
the crazy dutchman (andreas) 4-Laureate Username: andreas Post Number: 74 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 62.194.16.136 |
Services for Our Beloved Syreeta will be held Tuesday July 13th at 11 am. First AME Church 2270 S. Harvard Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90018 Tel: 323.730.9180 Fax: 323.735.7829 Andreas | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 950 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.220 |
Moanman! That was so beautiful my friend, so beautiful indeed. Keep on keepin on....... S.S. | ||
Arcadia (arcadia) 3-Pundit Username: arcadia Post Number: 63 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.237.47.103 |
I'm heart broken. I was a huge fan of Syreeta and she was tremendously talented. My condolences to her family. RIP my long-time musical friend. A- | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 638 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.140.26.245 |
I still remember when I first heard Spinning and Spinning, such a sweet song from a sweet lady. R.I.P. Syreeta | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 371 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.37.212.17 |
Just found out about this today...RIP and my condolences. | ||
Charise (mistrivia1) 4-Laureate Username: mistrivia1 Post Number: 149 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Hello, everyone. I haven't posted since July 6th, the day that I learned of Syreeta's passing. In fact, I really didn't post much. That morning I went to work and listened to my cd player as I usually do while I'm working. I started off with a musical tribute to Phyllis Hyman, in honor of her birthday. I then listened to a mixed cd I have of Stevie Wonder, which features his compositions sung and played by him and other artists, one of them being Syreeta. I had planned on getting on the internet and sending her a get well message, when I got home. Once I got off work, I continued to listen to the Stevie cd all the way home. I got on the computer and to see what you all were talking about and the first thing I saw was that Syreeta had passed! Call it coincidental or a sign, I don't know, but at that moment, my breath was taken away and I began to cry. That news shook me to the core and I was drained emotionally! I mean I had just been listening to her, not knowing that she was gone. I can't say it enough, I am glad to wake up every morning and be blessed as far as I know, to not have any life-threatening illnesses. I am glad that she is no longer suffering. My condolences to her family and friends. Stevie has lost 3 former back-up singers, Minnie Riperton, Tasha Thomas & now Syreeta. | ||
Uptight (uptight) 4-Laureate Username: uptight Post Number: 98 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.161.239.218 |
A beautiful woman with an angelic voice, she will be missed. My condolences to her family. | ||
Brother Love (brother_love) 4-Laureate Username: brother_love Post Number: 85 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.120.44.156 |
Syreeta's going home was truly a beautiful celebration of life. The service was held today at First AME Church in Los Angeles and hundreds of friends and family turned out to pay their respects. Some of the people in attendance were Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, Brenda Holloway, Mabel John, Thelma Houston, Leon Ware, Suzanne de Passe, Claudette Robinson, Freda & Scherrie Payne, Jeanette Hawes (of The Emotions), Jim Gilstrap, Janie Bradford, Patrice Rushen, and Sheree Brown. Both Stevie and Scheree sang wonderful songs in her honor. Berry spoke about how Syreeta taught him the proper way to breathe when meditating, saying "In a sense she was my guru". Her four children spoke about the love they have for their mother and what a great example she has been to their lives. Friends and family poured their hearts and souls and expressed how blessed we all are to have been touched by this beautiful spirit. | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 4-Laureate Username: gogogirl Post Number: 161 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
All, Hey Brother Love. Thanks for that. I believe it - because we were blessed to have known of her sweetness and music. | ||
girlgroups (girlgroups) 1-Arriviste Username: girlgroups Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 68.120.81.228 |
I was privileged to be present at Syreeta's memorial service today. Three hours of an amazing experience, and the common theme that everyone shared was -- "Syreeta always gave of herself, and was not a taker." If I could affect just one life the way she gave to so many, it would be a great thing. I really want to thank MOAN for his beautiful tribute above. One funny comment that Stevie Wonder made was that when he and Syreeta were married and went on their honeymoon in Bermuda, they visited one club and were announced as "Little Mr. and Mrs. Stevie Wonder." R.I.P. Syreeta  | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 4-Laureate Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 134 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 67.35.245.121 |
She looks so pretty. |
